A new era in New Zealand politics looks set to begin following a week of 'win-win' poll outcomes for the Maori Party. The polls, conducted by Maori Television, Marae Digipoll and Maori Party door knocking show the Party is on track to win the 7 Maori seats.

"We have mainly overwhelming majorities and a couple of neck and neck races," said Party President, Professor Whatarangi Winiata." We now need to put resources into the areas that need our support."

A stated goal of the Party is to win the seven Maori seats. The Party linked this goal last week to the milestone 200,000 voters now on the Maori roll.

"Maori voters are realising that we are now free to start exercising our voting muscle," continued Professor Winiata. "We hope the media will pick up on this theme and prepare the public for the likely scenario of a refreshing burst of Maori energy in national politics."

"Our job is to keep up the momentum, to prepare ourselves for the first 100 days in parliament and to set the Party up for the long term. Maori voters can deliver a clean sweep of the Maori electorates".

"It couldn't be better timing, as we approach the 2005 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples" said Professor Winiata (Tuesday 9 August).

NB: The polls by Maori TV and Marae Digpoll indicate significant majorities for Tariana Turia, Pita Sharples and Hone Harawira in their electorates. The next Marae Digipoll will profile the Waiariki electorate on Saturday.

Maori Party door knocking in all electorates record significant majorities for all Maori party candidates in the Maori electorate.

Maori TV Results for Electorate Candidates
Maori Labour
Te Tai Tokerau 53% 25%
Tamaki Makau Rau 63% 25%
Tainui 44% 40%
Waiariki 55% 31%
Ikaroa Rawhiti 39% 46%
Te Tai Hauauru 74% 14%
Te Tai Tonga 45% 32%

ENDS

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